FIC: Turn the Page ~ Chapter Twenty-four
Title: Turn the Page ~ Chapter Twenty-four
Author: bugs
Genre: AU, Romance, Drama
Rating: MA
Word Count: 3,100
Chapter 24:
Laura clenched her jaw, biting back her frustrated moans. Bill was finding it easy to keep his promise to be quiet. His mouth and tongue were busily engaged with her breast, while she had nothing but the bedroom's humid air to grasp with her seeking mouth. No matter how hard she tugged at his hair, he ignored her. His muffled groans radiated around her areola, peaking her nipple into a near-painfully tight nub.
She arched off the mattress and swallowed another cry. As her heels hooked tightly behind Bill's knees, his fingers worked between her legs. The wet movements were loud in the nearly silent room. She'd managed to get his pajama top off, but her fumbling hand only came up with a handful of cotton when she reached for his crotch. He shifted away with a low chuckle.
"Please," she hissed in his ear, not even sure what she was pleading for him to do next. All she knew was, she wanted it to happen soon, dammit. She grabbed the waistbands of his pants and boxers and yanked them down past his hips, not caring if she hurt him.
When he rocked back on his heels, he hummed a satisfied note, irritating her even more. Pushing up on her elbows, she nipped his lower lip, drawing his mouth down to hers in the deep kiss she needed to maintain her silence.
He wiggled the rest of the way out of his pants and underwear and palmed her rear end, positioning and caressing her at the same time. She suckled on his tongue in pleasure, relief finally calming her. Yes, foreplay was over. She needed to be filled with his heat and strength.
"Sure about the condom?" he whispered.
Nodding frantically, she clawed at his hip until he hissed. There was the pain again at entry, but less this time. She breathed out as he was sheathed inside her, working to relax her inner muscles and the burn was replaced with pleasure.
When she tilted her pelvis to accept more of his length, he buried his face in the pillow beside her, fighting to keep his own breathing slow. "Damn, Laura, just...Wait..." he muttered.
Smoothing her hands along his back, she stilled, feeling him fight for control.
"It's been a long time," he explained.
At first confused, she then realized he meant he hadn't had sex without a condom for years. She was touched that he'd made that sacrifice for her safety until she was comfortable and protected.
She lay gentle kisses along his jaw and neck, cooing low and warm.
Then he surprised her, rolling onto his back and bringing her over to rise above him. His teeth flashed at her in the dark. "That's better," he husked.
It wasn't better for Laura; it was nearly overwhelming. He was buried deep, to the edge of pain. She rose slightly on her knees. His hands settled on her hips, guiding her tentative movements. Her head dropped back, sweeping her hair across her back and arching her spine.
"Yes," floated up in the dark. Large hands slid across her stomach, his thumbs lazily circling her navel and tickling her ribs.
She needed the hands on her breasts. Grabbing his wrists, she guided them upward to cup her swollen flesh.
"You like that?" rose like his tangy cigar smoke, subtle and ethereal in the darkness.
She gave a tiny nod, turning her flaming face away from his seeking gaze. She rose again as his palms cradled the heavy weight of her breasts, then pressed down into grip of his fingers and the heft of his shaft that stretched her deliciously.
Confidence growing, she found the rhythm to ride him, intent on driving that satisfied smirk from his face. He chose not to thrust, only rolling his hips to meet her motion. She widened her stance, taking even more of his length in. Her moans wanted to escape, but she pushed them down ruthlessly. The pressure in her chest made her lightheaded, as though a hand were around her throat. Pricks of light floated before her eyes. Even her gasps sounded like a thundering kettle drum in the quiet room.
In the darkness, with her sense that they could be interrupted at any moment, it was as though she was back in her cell, her need overwhelming. But now there was her lover's rasping voice, extolling her to do and be all the things she needed for release.
When she leaned forward to support herself on his broad chest, the angle changed and the head of his penis rubbed right there, the place he'd found the last time.
She froze. He cupped her cheek, worried at the stupefied expression on her face. Rotating her hips, she began to slowly work on the spot, building the sensation that coiled through her limbs.
Even seeing the wondrous bliss in Laura's shining eyes and slack mouth, Bill still needed to push her further. He flicked her clit with just the tip of his finger; sometimes less was more.
Her reaction was even greater than he could have hoped. She writhed against the pressure of his fingers and his cock inside her. Bucking off the mattress, he pushed her over the edge, wanting to shatter her last, tattered reserves.
Fighting to hold back the cries beating in her chest, Laura exploded inside instead. The white sparklers before her eyes became fireworks, red blooms in the darkness. As her orgasm seemed to go on forever, she was dimly aware of a flood of fluid rushing from her vagina. Embarrassed, nonetheless she couldn't do anything more than flop over onto Bill's shaking chest, bouncing slightly on his delighted chuckles.
"Was I quiet?" she whispered in his ear.
"As a mouse," he murmured in hers.
Loose tremors still passing through her body, her lips moved on his damp skin, speaking words that couldn't see the light of day.
Then she realized he was still hard and buried within her.
"Uh, Bill..." she hissed, as though his erection was a third party in the room she didn't want to overhear. "Did you forget something?"
"Just enjoyin' the show," he told her.
"Maybe I want a show," she muttered peevishly, pushing her tangled hair from her eyes and glaring at him blearily in the dimness.
"Sure?" he whispered.
"Yes," she growled.
With one quick move, he flipped them over again, never uncoupling their bodies. Before she could do more than raise her eyebrows in astonishment, he grabbed the headboard railings above the pillows, braced his knees on the mattress and started plunging deeply.
She slid her hands along his taut arms, squeezing the muscles in encouragement, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from vocalizing her support. He was fighting to keep his own voice under control, his teeth clenched. But the entire bed was squeaking in protest as their sweaty bodies came together again and again. As he dryly rasped into her neck to silence his orgasm, she wrapped her legs around his waist, locking her ankles behind his back to take his last sloppy thrusts as deep as possible. Another orgasm was close again, but she wasn't going to hold him back for another second.
She cradled his heavy head, whispering adoration. He collapsed face down in the pillow. Groaning deeply, he slipped from her body to lie beside her, still heaving like a race horse.
Laura remained flat on her back, taking deep breaths to equalize her own respiration. Twining her fingers in his damp hair, she futilely caressed his skull as though he were a faithful dog needing a pet.
Grumbling, he managed to roll onto his side and drag her into his arms, their sticky, hot bodies adhering together.
"Let's go shower," he suggested, muffled by her curls.
She pointed out: "The sound."
"You want to sleep like this?" He ran his hands along her sweaty back.
She shifted, realizing her thighs were sticking together. At least whatever she'd released didn't seem to be urine, but she felt uncomfortable. She shook her head in the negative.
Repressing painful groans, they rose and staggered to the bathroom. Once he closed the door, he suggested she use the toilet.
"Without the condom, there's going to be some mess." He moved to the shower to manipulate the knobs, kindly keeping his back to her as she slunk over to the toilet.
Self-conscious despite the intimacy they'd just shared, she used it, quickly seeing he was right. It seemed as though she was learning something new every time they made love.
He stepped under the hot spray, shaking like a wet dog so his hair stuck out in ten directions.
"Come on," he called to her.
She padded over to join him. He lathered up a sponge and swabbed her body efficiently. She turned into his ministrations, murmuring her gratitude.
"Gimme," she ordered, taking the sponge and soap from him.
He held up her hair as she moved under the spray to keep it from getting wet. "It's getting long," he noted.
"Yes," she agreed. "It feels like yesterday since I left the order." She realized she was cleaning his genitals while she said that and found it ironic. Quickly, she moved the sponge up to his chest.
"Really?" As he challenged her, he kissed the corner of her mouth.
She leaned against his comforting bulk. "Yes," she said into his skin. "And no."
Nodding in understanding, he wrapped his arms around her. "Let's get to bed," he said.
She didn't want to leave the safety of water's spray just yet. "I'm sorry," she said fretfully.
He peered around, looking for a dropped bar of soap or the sponge. "For what?" he asked.
"I know it's not easy with me--"
He roared with laughter, the peels echoing off the tile. She slapped her palm over his mouth. When he nodded that he would be good, she moved her hand.
"What the hell are you talking about," he hissed. "You're very easy."
She frowned.
Circling his flat nipple with her fingertip, she tried to explain. "I'm sure with another woman, you'd just take her to bed and not have to explain or help her--"
He tipped up her chin to look in her eyes. "I meant it. You don't know how lucky you are. You've caught on quickly--you don't seem to have the fears or inhibitions that keep so many women from enjoying themselves."
She smiled impishly. "Perhaps I don't know any better. But you should be warning me if I'm making a fool of myself," she admonished him.
He held her close, shaking his head. "Yes, because naked and going at it like rabbits in just the time to retain our dignity."
She gave his hip a light slap. "You know what I mean."
"I'm serious. You want pleasure and you're willing to take it. That's better than a lot of women do. Don't start over-thinking now," he said, scolding.
She hummed, that worried sound that always gave him concern, but she was no longer arguing, so he didn't want to push her to say what he wanted to hear.
He turned off the water. "To bed," he said again.
After drying off, they wandered to the bedroom arm in arm, still naked. He found her nightgown and helped her put it on before picking up his boxers and pulling them on.
He led her around to the other side of the bed where the sheets were still unrumpled and dry. They slid in, arranging their limbs together for sleep. Laura was still finding the right pattern, like one of those intricately carved wooden puzzles. She snaked a leg between his and nestled her arm to his chest before snuggling her head under his chin.
"Good night," Bill said aloud and Laura was too exhausted to shush him. Humming as a reply, she decided it was a very good night after all.
In the morning, after another shower to wash her hair, Laura went downstairs for a quick breakfast before the walk to work. She found Bill drinking coffee while staring out the window, deep in thought, but no sign of Kara.
When she asked about the young woman, he told her, "I checked on her. Still sleeping."
Selfishly grateful, Laura accepted a cup of coffee rather than her usual tea and nibbled through two pieces of toast, ignoring Bill's grumbles about how she should eat more.
He washed out their coffee cups, then nodded toward the doorway. "Come on, I'll walk you to work."
She started to protest automatically, then realized she'd very much like to walk hand in hand on a blustery fall day to the school. He insisted on carrying her purse with its tablet inside, claiming it must be heavy for her.
"I'm not the little woman," she grumbled as she followed him down the hall to the front door--he already had the bag slung over his shoulder, so she didn't see why he was bothering to ask her permission.
He helped her on with her canvas raincoat, ignoring her sniping.
Outside, she tucked her arm through his, seeking that cozy warmth that always seemed to radiate off him. He slid his scarf inside his leather jacket and covered her thin hand with his paw-like hand, a little smile on his craggy face.
As they navigated down the sidewalk toward Piedmont Avenue, he started a conversation. "I appreciate you spending the night while Kara's in the house--"
She made a little half-hearted sound in the back of her throat.
"But you won't come back tonight," he said.
She gave a short nod.
"I understand," he said grumpily. "So I've got another idea."
Pushing her whirling hair off her face, she waited to hear what he had to say.
"Let's go away for the weekend. I'll get a babysitter for Kara," he added with a grin.
Go away. That sounded so adult and sexy. Laura shrugged to herself. Well, she was an adult, and was feeling pretty sexy.
"Ever been to Monterey Bay?" he asked.
Her heart sang at the name. "Oh yes! We went when I was a child of course, but the last time I was there, I was a novice; I'd just joined the order."
They were passing St Leo's and she had to look at its weathered stone edifice with a smile.
"The Pope visited the Carmel Mission in '85. He came to the city as well, but Mother Elosha arranged for all the novices in the Bay Area to have that more intimate opportunity to be in the presence of the Holy Father. Even then the number of women taking vows was rapidly declining. I think she wanted us to feel special--"
Bill's voice was low. "And you did..."
She leaned her head on his shoulder, loving how he understood. "Oh yes. I felt so close to God in those first years..." Her smile faded. The church was behind them now, and somehow she felt as though it was casting a long shadow over them.
"We can go to the Mission," he promised.
"That would be wonderful. And the church is Monterey is lovely. It's hundreds of years old."
He cleared his throat. He was thinking about a romantic getaway, not touring the Catholic holy sites of the California coast.
As if she read his mind, she asked, "What were you planning on doing?"
"Eating," he admitted. "There's so many great restaurants."
"I would love that."
"And then we'll have to lie down," he added. "I know just the place. Little cottages by the sea..."
Her eyes stung with unshed tears. It sounded so intimate, so enticing--the weekend seemed far away suddenly.
"We'll drive down after work?" she inquired.
"No, I'll get some plane tickets today so we have as much time as possible." He squeezed her hand. "I'll need your driver's license number for the tickets."
Last minutes plane tickets would cost a fortune, even those for so close a distance. She chewed on her lower lip, vexed. "I don't have a credit card yet," she confessed. "Only a debit card and I doubt they'll take that for a plane ticket--"
He cut her off. "Don't worry about it. I'm paying."
"I'll pay for my own--"
"Laura--"
"Bill."
"No."
She blinked at his tone. She'd thought she'd heard him be bull-headed before, but this tone for one short word broached no argument at all.
All her life, someone else had paid her bills. When she'd entered the convent, her dowry had been handed over to the order to pay her meager expenses. Since leaving the sisterhood, learning to pay her own bills and manage her money had been a welcome challenge. She didn't want to give that up already.
She stole a glance at Bill's profile. His strong jaw was set.
"Money is just numbers on a statement to me," he stated. "My numbers are larger than yours. Please let me do this."
She sighed and he took that as acceptance. She told him her licence number from memory and he nodded thanks.
Laura noticed a knot of women outside the school who'd been in the lunch room the day before. When Bill gave put her purse strap on her shoulder and leaned over to give her a chaste kiss on the cheek, she turned her face to collect his lips to hers. Cradling his cheek, she deepened their kiss to a public intimacy she never would have imagined a few weeks ago.
Leaving him sagging at the knees, she sashayed past the gape-mouthed women to enter the school. Seeing the astonishment on the faces of the students, her step faltered...Maybe that wasn't wise. Then she saw Doctor Baltar's wide-eyed face at one of the windows. Hunching her shoulders, she slunk through the front door.
After collecting his wits, Bill noticed the blank-faced men in dark suits posted at the building entrances. He didn't like this one bit. Fishing his phone from his pocket, he brought up Saul's number.
"Yeah, it's me," he muttered, turning his back on the school. "Got anything on that Cavil?"
He listened to the squawks from his friends. "Good. Meet me at the house."
Clicking off the call, he gave the mysterious guards another glare before heading home.
End~ Chapter 24
Author: bugs
Genre: AU, Romance, Drama
Rating: MA
Word Count: 3,100
Chapter 24:
Laura clenched her jaw, biting back her frustrated moans. Bill was finding it easy to keep his promise to be quiet. His mouth and tongue were busily engaged with her breast, while she had nothing but the bedroom's humid air to grasp with her seeking mouth. No matter how hard she tugged at his hair, he ignored her. His muffled groans radiated around her areola, peaking her nipple into a near-painfully tight nub.
She arched off the mattress and swallowed another cry. As her heels hooked tightly behind Bill's knees, his fingers worked between her legs. The wet movements were loud in the nearly silent room. She'd managed to get his pajama top off, but her fumbling hand only came up with a handful of cotton when she reached for his crotch. He shifted away with a low chuckle.
"Please," she hissed in his ear, not even sure what she was pleading for him to do next. All she knew was, she wanted it to happen soon, dammit. She grabbed the waistbands of his pants and boxers and yanked them down past his hips, not caring if she hurt him.
When he rocked back on his heels, he hummed a satisfied note, irritating her even more. Pushing up on her elbows, she nipped his lower lip, drawing his mouth down to hers in the deep kiss she needed to maintain her silence.
He wiggled the rest of the way out of his pants and underwear and palmed her rear end, positioning and caressing her at the same time. She suckled on his tongue in pleasure, relief finally calming her. Yes, foreplay was over. She needed to be filled with his heat and strength.
"Sure about the condom?" he whispered.
Nodding frantically, she clawed at his hip until he hissed. There was the pain again at entry, but less this time. She breathed out as he was sheathed inside her, working to relax her inner muscles and the burn was replaced with pleasure.
When she tilted her pelvis to accept more of his length, he buried his face in the pillow beside her, fighting to keep his own breathing slow. "Damn, Laura, just...Wait..." he muttered.
Smoothing her hands along his back, she stilled, feeling him fight for control.
"It's been a long time," he explained.
At first confused, she then realized he meant he hadn't had sex without a condom for years. She was touched that he'd made that sacrifice for her safety until she was comfortable and protected.
She lay gentle kisses along his jaw and neck, cooing low and warm.
Then he surprised her, rolling onto his back and bringing her over to rise above him. His teeth flashed at her in the dark. "That's better," he husked.
It wasn't better for Laura; it was nearly overwhelming. He was buried deep, to the edge of pain. She rose slightly on her knees. His hands settled on her hips, guiding her tentative movements. Her head dropped back, sweeping her hair across her back and arching her spine.
"Yes," floated up in the dark. Large hands slid across her stomach, his thumbs lazily circling her navel and tickling her ribs.
She needed the hands on her breasts. Grabbing his wrists, she guided them upward to cup her swollen flesh.
"You like that?" rose like his tangy cigar smoke, subtle and ethereal in the darkness.
She gave a tiny nod, turning her flaming face away from his seeking gaze. She rose again as his palms cradled the heavy weight of her breasts, then pressed down into grip of his fingers and the heft of his shaft that stretched her deliciously.
Confidence growing, she found the rhythm to ride him, intent on driving that satisfied smirk from his face. He chose not to thrust, only rolling his hips to meet her motion. She widened her stance, taking even more of his length in. Her moans wanted to escape, but she pushed them down ruthlessly. The pressure in her chest made her lightheaded, as though a hand were around her throat. Pricks of light floated before her eyes. Even her gasps sounded like a thundering kettle drum in the quiet room.
In the darkness, with her sense that they could be interrupted at any moment, it was as though she was back in her cell, her need overwhelming. But now there was her lover's rasping voice, extolling her to do and be all the things she needed for release.
When she leaned forward to support herself on his broad chest, the angle changed and the head of his penis rubbed right there, the place he'd found the last time.
She froze. He cupped her cheek, worried at the stupefied expression on her face. Rotating her hips, she began to slowly work on the spot, building the sensation that coiled through her limbs.
Even seeing the wondrous bliss in Laura's shining eyes and slack mouth, Bill still needed to push her further. He flicked her clit with just the tip of his finger; sometimes less was more.
Her reaction was even greater than he could have hoped. She writhed against the pressure of his fingers and his cock inside her. Bucking off the mattress, he pushed her over the edge, wanting to shatter her last, tattered reserves.
Fighting to hold back the cries beating in her chest, Laura exploded inside instead. The white sparklers before her eyes became fireworks, red blooms in the darkness. As her orgasm seemed to go on forever, she was dimly aware of a flood of fluid rushing from her vagina. Embarrassed, nonetheless she couldn't do anything more than flop over onto Bill's shaking chest, bouncing slightly on his delighted chuckles.
"Was I quiet?" she whispered in his ear.
"As a mouse," he murmured in hers.
Loose tremors still passing through her body, her lips moved on his damp skin, speaking words that couldn't see the light of day.
Then she realized he was still hard and buried within her.
"Uh, Bill..." she hissed, as though his erection was a third party in the room she didn't want to overhear. "Did you forget something?"
"Just enjoyin' the show," he told her.
"Maybe I want a show," she muttered peevishly, pushing her tangled hair from her eyes and glaring at him blearily in the dimness.
"Sure?" he whispered.
"Yes," she growled.
With one quick move, he flipped them over again, never uncoupling their bodies. Before she could do more than raise her eyebrows in astonishment, he grabbed the headboard railings above the pillows, braced his knees on the mattress and started plunging deeply.
She slid her hands along his taut arms, squeezing the muscles in encouragement, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from vocalizing her support. He was fighting to keep his own voice under control, his teeth clenched. But the entire bed was squeaking in protest as their sweaty bodies came together again and again. As he dryly rasped into her neck to silence his orgasm, she wrapped her legs around his waist, locking her ankles behind his back to take his last sloppy thrusts as deep as possible. Another orgasm was close again, but she wasn't going to hold him back for another second.
She cradled his heavy head, whispering adoration. He collapsed face down in the pillow. Groaning deeply, he slipped from her body to lie beside her, still heaving like a race horse.
Laura remained flat on her back, taking deep breaths to equalize her own respiration. Twining her fingers in his damp hair, she futilely caressed his skull as though he were a faithful dog needing a pet.
Grumbling, he managed to roll onto his side and drag her into his arms, their sticky, hot bodies adhering together.
"Let's go shower," he suggested, muffled by her curls.
She pointed out: "The sound."
"You want to sleep like this?" He ran his hands along her sweaty back.
She shifted, realizing her thighs were sticking together. At least whatever she'd released didn't seem to be urine, but she felt uncomfortable. She shook her head in the negative.
Repressing painful groans, they rose and staggered to the bathroom. Once he closed the door, he suggested she use the toilet.
"Without the condom, there's going to be some mess." He moved to the shower to manipulate the knobs, kindly keeping his back to her as she slunk over to the toilet.
Self-conscious despite the intimacy they'd just shared, she used it, quickly seeing he was right. It seemed as though she was learning something new every time they made love.
He stepped under the hot spray, shaking like a wet dog so his hair stuck out in ten directions.
"Come on," he called to her.
She padded over to join him. He lathered up a sponge and swabbed her body efficiently. She turned into his ministrations, murmuring her gratitude.
"Gimme," she ordered, taking the sponge and soap from him.
He held up her hair as she moved under the spray to keep it from getting wet. "It's getting long," he noted.
"Yes," she agreed. "It feels like yesterday since I left the order." She realized she was cleaning his genitals while she said that and found it ironic. Quickly, she moved the sponge up to his chest.
"Really?" As he challenged her, he kissed the corner of her mouth.
She leaned against his comforting bulk. "Yes," she said into his skin. "And no."
Nodding in understanding, he wrapped his arms around her. "Let's get to bed," he said.
She didn't want to leave the safety of water's spray just yet. "I'm sorry," she said fretfully.
He peered around, looking for a dropped bar of soap or the sponge. "For what?" he asked.
"I know it's not easy with me--"
He roared with laughter, the peels echoing off the tile. She slapped her palm over his mouth. When he nodded that he would be good, she moved her hand.
"What the hell are you talking about," he hissed. "You're very easy."
She frowned.
Circling his flat nipple with her fingertip, she tried to explain. "I'm sure with another woman, you'd just take her to bed and not have to explain or help her--"
He tipped up her chin to look in her eyes. "I meant it. You don't know how lucky you are. You've caught on quickly--you don't seem to have the fears or inhibitions that keep so many women from enjoying themselves."
She smiled impishly. "Perhaps I don't know any better. But you should be warning me if I'm making a fool of myself," she admonished him.
He held her close, shaking his head. "Yes, because naked and going at it like rabbits in just the time to retain our dignity."
She gave his hip a light slap. "You know what I mean."
"I'm serious. You want pleasure and you're willing to take it. That's better than a lot of women do. Don't start over-thinking now," he said, scolding.
She hummed, that worried sound that always gave him concern, but she was no longer arguing, so he didn't want to push her to say what he wanted to hear.
He turned off the water. "To bed," he said again.
After drying off, they wandered to the bedroom arm in arm, still naked. He found her nightgown and helped her put it on before picking up his boxers and pulling them on.
He led her around to the other side of the bed where the sheets were still unrumpled and dry. They slid in, arranging their limbs together for sleep. Laura was still finding the right pattern, like one of those intricately carved wooden puzzles. She snaked a leg between his and nestled her arm to his chest before snuggling her head under his chin.
"Good night," Bill said aloud and Laura was too exhausted to shush him. Humming as a reply, she decided it was a very good night after all.
In the morning, after another shower to wash her hair, Laura went downstairs for a quick breakfast before the walk to work. She found Bill drinking coffee while staring out the window, deep in thought, but no sign of Kara.
When she asked about the young woman, he told her, "I checked on her. Still sleeping."
Selfishly grateful, Laura accepted a cup of coffee rather than her usual tea and nibbled through two pieces of toast, ignoring Bill's grumbles about how she should eat more.
He washed out their coffee cups, then nodded toward the doorway. "Come on, I'll walk you to work."
She started to protest automatically, then realized she'd very much like to walk hand in hand on a blustery fall day to the school. He insisted on carrying her purse with its tablet inside, claiming it must be heavy for her.
"I'm not the little woman," she grumbled as she followed him down the hall to the front door--he already had the bag slung over his shoulder, so she didn't see why he was bothering to ask her permission.
He helped her on with her canvas raincoat, ignoring her sniping.
Outside, she tucked her arm through his, seeking that cozy warmth that always seemed to radiate off him. He slid his scarf inside his leather jacket and covered her thin hand with his paw-like hand, a little smile on his craggy face.
As they navigated down the sidewalk toward Piedmont Avenue, he started a conversation. "I appreciate you spending the night while Kara's in the house--"
She made a little half-hearted sound in the back of her throat.
"But you won't come back tonight," he said.
She gave a short nod.
"I understand," he said grumpily. "So I've got another idea."
Pushing her whirling hair off her face, she waited to hear what he had to say.
"Let's go away for the weekend. I'll get a babysitter for Kara," he added with a grin.
Go away. That sounded so adult and sexy. Laura shrugged to herself. Well, she was an adult, and was feeling pretty sexy.
"Ever been to Monterey Bay?" he asked.
Her heart sang at the name. "Oh yes! We went when I was a child of course, but the last time I was there, I was a novice; I'd just joined the order."
They were passing St Leo's and she had to look at its weathered stone edifice with a smile.
"The Pope visited the Carmel Mission in '85. He came to the city as well, but Mother Elosha arranged for all the novices in the Bay Area to have that more intimate opportunity to be in the presence of the Holy Father. Even then the number of women taking vows was rapidly declining. I think she wanted us to feel special--"
Bill's voice was low. "And you did..."
She leaned her head on his shoulder, loving how he understood. "Oh yes. I felt so close to God in those first years..." Her smile faded. The church was behind them now, and somehow she felt as though it was casting a long shadow over them.
"We can go to the Mission," he promised.
"That would be wonderful. And the church is Monterey is lovely. It's hundreds of years old."
He cleared his throat. He was thinking about a romantic getaway, not touring the Catholic holy sites of the California coast.
As if she read his mind, she asked, "What were you planning on doing?"
"Eating," he admitted. "There's so many great restaurants."
"I would love that."
"And then we'll have to lie down," he added. "I know just the place. Little cottages by the sea..."
Her eyes stung with unshed tears. It sounded so intimate, so enticing--the weekend seemed far away suddenly.
"We'll drive down after work?" she inquired.
"No, I'll get some plane tickets today so we have as much time as possible." He squeezed her hand. "I'll need your driver's license number for the tickets."
Last minutes plane tickets would cost a fortune, even those for so close a distance. She chewed on her lower lip, vexed. "I don't have a credit card yet," she confessed. "Only a debit card and I doubt they'll take that for a plane ticket--"
He cut her off. "Don't worry about it. I'm paying."
"I'll pay for my own--"
"Laura--"
"Bill."
"No."
She blinked at his tone. She'd thought she'd heard him be bull-headed before, but this tone for one short word broached no argument at all.
All her life, someone else had paid her bills. When she'd entered the convent, her dowry had been handed over to the order to pay her meager expenses. Since leaving the sisterhood, learning to pay her own bills and manage her money had been a welcome challenge. She didn't want to give that up already.
She stole a glance at Bill's profile. His strong jaw was set.
"Money is just numbers on a statement to me," he stated. "My numbers are larger than yours. Please let me do this."
She sighed and he took that as acceptance. She told him her licence number from memory and he nodded thanks.
Laura noticed a knot of women outside the school who'd been in the lunch room the day before. When Bill gave put her purse strap on her shoulder and leaned over to give her a chaste kiss on the cheek, she turned her face to collect his lips to hers. Cradling his cheek, she deepened their kiss to a public intimacy she never would have imagined a few weeks ago.
Leaving him sagging at the knees, she sashayed past the gape-mouthed women to enter the school. Seeing the astonishment on the faces of the students, her step faltered...Maybe that wasn't wise. Then she saw Doctor Baltar's wide-eyed face at one of the windows. Hunching her shoulders, she slunk through the front door.
After collecting his wits, Bill noticed the blank-faced men in dark suits posted at the building entrances. He didn't like this one bit. Fishing his phone from his pocket, he brought up Saul's number.
"Yeah, it's me," he muttered, turning his back on the school. "Got anything on that Cavil?"
He listened to the squawks from his friends. "Good. Meet me at the house."
Clicking off the call, he gave the mysterious guards another glare before heading home.
End~ Chapter 24